Ever since the WhatsApp-policy debacle and controversies concerning the ongoing farmer’s protest in the country, the Indian Government has taken significant steps to moderate social media companies. The authorities have released the new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021.
So, according to the new IT Rules 2021, if the government asks or legally orders a social media platform to remove any shared content, the respective company will have to remove it from its platform within 36 hours. Furthermore, it will be compulsory for the social media giants to share the source of the malicious content with the government, if asked. It means the troll who starts a trend might soon be under the limelight.
Other than the CCO, the government will also form an oversight committee to regulate the guidelines. This committee will include representatives from the External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Home, I & B, IT, Law, and women and child development. Apart from regulating the new guidelines, this committee will possess the power of summoning heads of the social media companies if they fail to follow the rules.
